Swaziland’s King Mswati’s 8th wife commits suicide

Senteni Masango was found dead in the early hours of Friday morning, news outlets in the South African country reported.

The king’s wife is said to have taken an overdose of about 40 amytriptyline capsules. Amitriptyline is a medicine primarily used to treat a number of mental illnesses.

This includes major depressive disorder and lack of attention disorder.

Before her death, Senteni Masango reportedly lived alone for over three years in a big mansion with no single visit from her husband the king.

Masango, a mother of two, married King Mswati in 2000 at the age of 18. She was described as a high school drop-out.

According to Mpumalanga news, the late queen’s funeral held at Ludzidzini Royal Kraal on Saturday, April 7. She was laid to rest on Sunday in line with the Royal Swazi rites.

Her death comes barely a week after the burial of her sister Nombuso Masango.

There are reports that the king stopped Senteni from attending her late sister’s memorial service and funeral.

Last year in September, King Mswati made headlines when he married a 19 year old girl as his 14th wife.

King Mswati officially unveiled Siphelele Mashwama (19), the daughter of a Swaziland Cabinet minister, Jabulile Mashwama as his bride.

She became his fourteenth wife. Some other reports reports claim he now has 15 wives.

King Mswati’ birth name is Makhosetive Dlamini, which means “King of Nations”. When Mswati’s father, King Sobhuza II died, Mswati was only 14 years old. Because he was still attending school at this time, two of his father’s queens (Queen Dzeliwe Shongwe, and Queen Ntombi Tfwala) stepped in as regent until Mswati could take the throne.

Mswati has been criticised for his lavish lifestyle, especially by the media; in one report he has been accused of living a lavish lifestyle while his people starve.

In the 2014 national budget, parliament allocated $61 million for the king’s annual household budget, while 63% of Swazis live on less than $1.25 per day.

Following criticism of his purchase of luxury cars, including a $500,000 Maybach, he banned the photography of his vehicles.

According to the Forbes 2009 list of the World’s 15 Richest Royals, King Mswati is worth a reported $200 million.